Pet Fountain Assembly with Lift Tube

ABSTRACT

A pet drinking fountain assembly having a pump forming part of a fountain mounting arrangement that includes a lift tube coupling a cover to the pump coupled to a lower basin by a mount. The mount and lift tube attenuate pump noise and vibration by providing isolation from the basin and cover and can function as dampeners. In a preferred embodiment the pump is part of a pump module that includes a module housing to which the pump is attached by another noise-attenuating mount. Each mount is formed by one or more suction cups with the cups and lift tube made of vibration dampening material, such as a resilient vibration dampening or isolating material that can be an elastomeric material. The module includes a lift tube coupling discharge that registers in fluid flow communication with a pump outlet and can include a ring or bushing therebetween providing additional noise attenuation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/841,676 filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/887,439 filed Sep. 21, 2010, which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.61/244,438, filed Sep. 21, 2009, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/356,874, filed Jun. 21, 2010, the entirety of each of which isexpressly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a pet fountain assembly including anarrangement for mounting a fountain cover to a lower basin using thepump and more particularly to a fountain mounting arrangement employinga pump-holding module.

BACKGROUND

There are many types of pet watering devices, including pet fountains,where an electrically powered pump is used to move water in a mannerthat is enticing to a pet while also helping to keep the water fresh.The pump is used to draw water from one part of the watering device anddeliver it to another part of the watering device where it can flow backenabling the water to recirculate. Each watering device is configured ina manner that provides access to the water enabling a pet to drinkwater.

A pet fountain has a basin, at least a portion of which can beconfigured to allow pet drinking water access. The fountain typicallyalso has a cover overlying at least part of the basin that is configuredto allow water pumped from the basin to flow downwardly back toward thebasin. The cover can be configured to provide pet drinking water access.For example, the cover can include a reservoir, which can be open toprovide pet drinking access, as well as some form of a conduit, such asa channel which also can be open to provide pet drinking access. Thepump is used to draw water from part of the basin and deliver it to thecover where it flows back down to the basin providing recirculation thathelps keep the water fresh.

In the past, pet fountains have been complicated assemblies made ofnumerous parts that fit together much like putting together a jigsawpuzzle making them difficult to put together and stay together. Evenworse, some of these fountains later have to be taken apart to refillthe fountain or to change its filter. Over time, the time consumed andchallenges of having to take apart and put together unnecessarilycomplicated fountains result in a high number of fountains being thrownin the corner.

In addition to being of complicated assembly, pump noise is also aproblem. During operation, pump vibration transmitted to other parts ofthe fountain can produce noise audible to pets they find annoying. Justas bad, the pump noise in some fountains is even audible to humans, insome instances irritatingly so.

In addition to prior art fountains being equipped with pumps, many arealso equipped with filters that filter the water in the fountain as itis being recirculated. Unfortunately, not only do filters need to beperiodically changed, they also frequently plug up. Past fountains havelocated filters downstream of the discharge of the pump such thatplugging of the filter will block circulation which can result in thefountain being rendered inoperable. Many filters are poorly locatedwhere they collect all debris entering the water leading to unnecessaryplugging and requiring premature replacement. Often times, fountainusers quit putting filters in their fountains as a result.

What is needed is a pet fountain of simple construction that is easy toassemble and stay together. What is also needed is an arrangement for arecirculating fountain equipped with a pump and filter that positionsthe filter in a manner that reduces plugging and optimizes filter life.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a pet fountain assembly employing afountain mounting arrangement that includes a pump coupled to one partof the fountain, such as a cover, using a lift tube and mounted toanother part of the fountain, such as its lower basin, using a mount. Inone preferred mounting arrangement, the pump is part of a pump modulewith the lift tube coupling the cover to the module and the mountattaching the module to the basin. When the cover is coupled to themodule by the lift tube and the module is attached by the mount to thebasin, the pump module, lift tube and mount serve as a mountingarrangement that is a cover mounting arrangement that anchors the coverto the basin.

The mount and lift tube are of vibration dampening construction thatreduces pump noise during fountain operation. In a preferred embodiment,the mount is a module mount formed by a plurality of spaced apartsuction cups made of a vibration dampening material, such as a resilientmaterial that can be an elastomeric material, and the lift tube is alsomade of a vibration dampening material, such as a resilient materialthat also can be an elastomeric material. In addition to the suctioncups providing vibration dampening, they also provide clearancepreventing direct basin contact further helping to reduce noise. Inaddition to the cover-coupling lift tube providing vibration dampening,the lift tube also provides clearance preventing direct cover contactfurther helping to reduce noise.

The pump module includes a housing in which the pump is enclosed withthe pump mounted in the module housing by another mount, a pump mount,which is also of vibration dampening construction. In one embodiment,the pump mount is formed of a plurality of spaced apart suction cupsmade of a vibration dampening material, such as a resilient materialthat can be an elastomeric material. When the module is mounted to thebasin by the module mount, the pump mounted to the module by the pumpmount, and the lift tube coupled to the cover, three levels of pumpnoise suppression are provided, reducing pump noise during fountainoperation.

The pump module housing includes a discharge tube that registers influid flow communication with the lift tube and an outlet tube of thepump. The module housing includes a seat that locates the pump withinthe housing so the pump outlet tube registers with the module housingdischarge tube, such as by one tube being telescoped in the other tube,in a manner where one tube can be generally coaxial with the other tube.In one embodiment, a vibration dampener is provided between the tubes,such as in the form of a ring or bushing made of dampening material, tofurther reduce pump noise.

In assembly, the pump module is attached by its module mount to thebasin with its mount providing noise and vibration isolation between thepump module and basin reducing pump noise. The lift tube is attached tothe fountain cover and attached to the pump module discharge tube suchas by one tube being telescoped in the other tube thereby coupling thecover to the module and anchoring the cover to the basin.

The lift tube provides a fluid flow conduit for conveying waterdischarged from the pump to the cover where it can flow down into thebasin. The lift tube includes a cover coupling end that has a coverseating groove formed in it that receives part of the cover surroundingan opening in the cover when assembled together. The lift tube includesa flange that can be annular that overlies part of the cover facingopposite the basin when the lift tube is assembled to the cover. Thelift tube includes a module coupling end that is narrower than the covercoupling end enabling the module coupling end to be inserted into thecover opening in assembling the lift tube to the cover.

The module housing includes a cover that releasably attaches to a base.The base includes a downwardly facing intake that includes a pluralityof intake vents that allow water in the basin to enter an intake chamberinside the module when drawn in by the pump. The base includes a filterseat configured to position a replaceable filter downstream of theintake and upstream of the pump with the seat also serving to divide themodule into the intake chamber and a filtrate chamber. The base includesa pump seat that can be part of a pump intake well within the modulethat is part of the filtrate chamber or which is in fluid-flowcommunication with the filtrate chamber.

The part of the fountain to which the pump module is mounted can includea locator that serves as a target for mounting the module that can alsolocate the other part of the fountain that is coupled to the pump moduleby the lift tube when fountain assembly is completed. In a preferredembodiment, the basin has a pump module mounting locator that can be ofrecessed construction that locates the pump module when mounted in ittherefore locating the cover relative to the basin when the cover iscoupled by the lift tube to the pump module and the pump module mountedto the basin in the locator by the module mount.

Such a fountain assembly produces a fountain that is of quick and simpleassembly that employs a pump module and lift tube in its cover mountingarrangement through which water from the basin is pumped by the pump inthe module through the lift tube upwardly to the cover where the watercan flow back into the basin in a recirculating manner.

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

One or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention areillustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like referencenumerals represent like parts throughout and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an assembled pet fountain assemblyconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the fountain of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the fountain of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the fountain of FIG. 1 with acover of the fountain removed to depict a mounting location of a pumpmodule in a basin of the fountain;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross sectional view of the assembled fountainof FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional elevation view of the assembled fountain ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an exploded elevation view of the fountain assembly of FIG. 1showing components of the assembly in cross section;

FIG. 8 is a partial fragmentary view illustrating another cover andbasin embodiment depicting a cover and basin seating arrangement lackinginterlocking engagement therebetween;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross section elevational view of the pump module;

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the pump module showing ahousing of the module in an opened condition;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of the pump module in a closedcondition illustrating a filter and pump in phantom enclosed within themodule housing;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a base of the pump module housing;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of the module base;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a cover of the pump module housing;

FIG. 15 is bottom plan view of the module cover;

FIG. 16 is a front elevation view of the module cover;

FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the module cover;

FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of a filter housing base;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the filter housing base;

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a filter housing cap; and

FIG. 21 is a front elevation view of the filter housing cap.

Before explaining one or more embodiments of the invention in detail, itis to be understood that the invention is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of the components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Theinvention is capable of other embodiments, which can be practiced orcarried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that thephraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a pet fountain 30 thatincludes a fountain assembly 32 constructed in accordance with thepresent invention that is of simple and easy to assemble constructionwhich employs a pump module 34 to not only recirculate water duringoperation but which also is part of a mounting arrangement 100 shown inFIG. 7 that holds a fountain cover 38 in place relative to a fountainbasin 40. A pump module 34 constructed in accordance with the presentinvention not only helps anchor the cover 38 in place, but is also ofnoise attenuating construction reducing pump noise during fountainoperation.

The fountain assembly 32 includes a fountain body formed by the cover 38and basin 40 with the pump module 34 disposed between the cover 38 andbasin 40 such that the module 34 may not necessarily be visible when thefountain 30 is assembled. The basin 40 has a bottom 44 and a sidewall 46extending upwardly about the periphery of the bottom 44 enabling thebasin 40 to hold water 48. Sidewall 46 has a top edge 50 that can beoutwardly flared, such as shown in FIG. 3. As depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7and discussed in more detail below, part of the basin, such as itssidewall, e.g., top edge, can be formed to provide a seat on which partof the cover can rest when the fountain is assembled.

The basin bottom 44 provides a base 52 enabling the fountain 30 to reston a surface, such as the ground, a floor, a table, or the like. Basinbottom 44 has an interior surface 54 upon which part of the cover 38 canbe supported, such as discussed in more detail below. The interiorsurface 54 includes a pump module locator 56, best shown in FIG. 4,which can be recessed as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, visually indicatingthe mounting position of the pump module 34 facilitating ease ofassembly and disassembly.

Extending upwardly adjacent the locator 56 is a cord conduit 58 that hasa tubular sidewall 60 with top and bottom openings 62, 64 (FIG. 6)through which an electrical power cord 66 extends. Cord conduit 58 has aheight greater than the maximum height the basin 40 can be filled withwater 48. As best shown in FIG. 6, cord conduit 58 has a height greaterthan that of the top edge 50 of the basin sidewall 46 to ensure waterwill overflow the sidewall 46 before entering the opening 62 in theconduit 58. As is also shown in FIG. 6, the conduit 58 underlies thefountain cover 38 with its top opening 62 spaced from the cover 38 toallow cord passage therebetween.

As is best shown in FIGS. 4-6, the pump module locator 56 is locatedadjacent the cord conduit 58 to minimize the length of the run 68 of thepower cord 66 between the pump module 34 and conduit 58. To furtherminimize the length of cord run 68, the locator 56 is oriented toposition a pump 42 of the pump module 34 proximal or close to theconduit 58.

With continued reference to FIG. 4, the power cord 66 has a first cordsegment 70 extending from the pump 42 to a first electrical connector 72having a width or diameter narrower than the narrowest portion of theinner diameter of the cord conduit 58 enabling the first connector 72 tobe inserted into and passed through the entire length of the conduit 58,including through both conduit openings 62, 64, during assembly. Thepower cord 66 has a second cord segment 74 with a second electricalconnector 76 at one end and a plug 78 at its other end that is pluggedinto a source of electricity, such as a source of alternating currenthaving a voltage greater than 110 volts. One of the first and secondconnectors is a female connector 72 and the other one of the first andsecond connectors is a male connector 76 that releasably couples withthe female connector 72 providing an electrically conductive couplingwhen connected. Plug 78 is part of a step-down transformer 80 thatreduces the source voltage by at least a plurality of pairs of times,i.e., at least three times, to a voltage of no greater than twentypercent of the source voltage.

For example, in one preferred embodiment, the transformer 80 steps downa source voltage of between 110 volts and 240 volts AC to a voltage ofbetween about 5 volts and 12 volts that is supplied to the pump 42. Theuse of such a multi-segmented power cord 66 with separate cord segments70, 74 connectable using connectors 72, 76 advantageously enables alower voltage submersible pump 42 to be used in the pump module 34 thatrequires a step-down transformer 80 ordinarily too large in size to bepassed through the cord conduit 58 and that needs to be located awayfrom water outside the fountain 30.

The top of the fountain cover 38 has a dome 82 in which an open bowl 84is formed allowing a pet, such as a cat, to drink water 48 in the bowl84 pumped from the basin 40. The dome 82 is supported by a plurality oflegs 86 that can be outwardly bowed or curved that also provides aspillway 88 (depicted in phantom) down which water from the bowl 84 canflow during fountain operation. Each spillway 88 is also pet accessible,allowing a pet to drink water 48 as it flows down each leg 86. The bowl84 includes a plurality of upraised lips 90 that are located and spacedapart to define openings 92 therebetween that direct water 48overflowing from the bowl 84 so it flows down a corresponding spillway88 of each leg 86.

The legs 86 of the cover 38 are spaced apart with the space 94 betweenadjacent legs 86 allowing recirculating water 48 flowing down legs 86into the basin 40 to return to the pump module 34 where it can be pumpedback up to bowl 84. As is best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each leg 86 has afoot 96 at its bottom that rests on part of the interior surface 54 ofthe basin bottom 44 when the fountain 30 is assembled. As is also shownin FIGS. 5 and 6, the bottom of each foot 96 is generally flat and restson a generally flat portion of the basin bottom interior surface 54 whenthe cover 38 is assembled.

The fountain cover 38 is configured to allow pet drinking access towater 48 in the basin 40 when the cover 38 is assembled. The legs 86 ofthe cover 38 are spaced from the basin sidewall 46 providing an openbasin area 98 between the cover 38 and basin sidewall 46 that isaccessible to a pet. The open space 94 between adjacent legs 86 providesadditional pet drinking access to water 48 in the basin 40.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate a fountain cover mounting arrangement 100 employingthe pump module 34 to anchor the fountain cover 38 in place when thecover 38 is attached to the module 34 and the module 34 is mounted tothe basin 40. The cover mounting arrangement 100 includes a module mount102 used to mount the pump module 34 to the basin 40 and a coupling 104used to attach the cover 38 to the module 34 that also serves as awater-transporting lift tube. By mounting the pump module 34 to thebasin 40 within an outer boundary 106 of the pump module locator 56 asdepicted in FIGS. 4-7, the cover mounting arrangement 100 also locatesthe cover 38 relative to the basin 40 when the cover 38 is mounted tothe basin 40 via cover mounting arrangement 100. Locator 56 can berecessed as depicted in FIGS. 4-7 along boundary 106 such as to providea recessed well or sump in the basin 40 that facilitates water return tothe pump module 34 where it can be more easily drawn into the module 34during pump operation.

The module mount 102 and the cover-coupling lift tube 104 each functionas dampeners or vibration isolators that reduce pump noise resulting inquieter fountain operation. The module mount 102 is of vibrationdampening construction to reduce transmission of pump noise andvibration from the pump module 34 to the basin 40 and the lift tube 104is also of vibration dampening construction to reduce transmission ofpump noise and vibration from the pump module 34 to the cover 38. Themodule mount 102 and lift tube 104 are made of a vibration dampeningmaterial, such as a resilient material that can be of elastomericconstruction.

With reference to FIGS. 6-7 and 9-11, the module mount 102 is formed ofa plurality of spaced apart suction cups 108 that extend outwardly froma bottom 110, e.g., base, of a pump module housing 112 used toreleasably mount the pump module 34 in the basin 40 while spacing thehousing 112 from the basin 40 keeping them from direct contact. As bestshown in FIGS. 6-8, the suction cups 108 space the housing bottom 110from the basin 40 such that no part of the housing 112 comes in directcontact with the basin 40 thereby preventing direct noise and vibrationtransmission from the pump module 34 to the basin 40.

As best shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the module mount 102 is formed of aplurality of pairs of spaced apart suction cups 108 arranged in atriangular pattern with each cup 108 having a stem 114 (FIG. 9) receivedin a socket 116 extending outwardly from the module housing bottom 110.Each suction cup 108 is made of a material that also advantageouslyenables it to function as a dampener or vibration isolator. By spacingthe pump module housing 112 above the basin 40 preventing direct contacttherebetween, direct noise and vibration transmission is prevented. Bymaking each suction cup 108 of a vibration dampening or isolatingmaterial, pump module noise and vibration is attenuated or reduced. As aresult, fountain operation is quieter.

Each suction cup 108 is made of a resilient and flexible material, suchas an elastomeric material, which not only provides a resilient mountbut which also enables the cup 108 to function as a dampener orvibration isolator. Examples of suitable suction cup materials includepolyvinyl chloride, neoprene, perbunan, polyurethane, vulkollan,silicone, and viton. Other materials are also contemplated as beingsuitable, such as natural rubber, silicone rubber and Buna S.

As previously discussed, the cover-coupling lift tube 104 is not onlyused to attach the fountain cover 38 to the pump module 34, it alsoserves a lift tube through which water 48 pumped from the basin 40 istransported upwardly to the bowl 84 in the cover 38. As best shown inFIGS. 5-7, the lift tube 104 is defined by an endless sidewall 118 thatdefines a fluid transporting conduit 120 that has openings 122, 124 atopposite tube ends 126, 128. The tube 104 tapers from a larger diametercover coupling end 126 to a smaller diameter pump module coupling end128 enabling the tube 104 to be attached to the cover 38 by insertingthe narrower end 128 first into an opening 130 in the bowl 84 until thewider end 126 engages and couples with part 132 of the bowl 84encircling and defining bowl opening 130.

The cover coupling end 126 of the lift tube 104 has a cover receivinggroove 134 defined on one side by an annular retainer flange 136 thatabuts against the part 132 of the bowl 84 that encircles the bowlopening 130 when cover or bowl part 132 is seated in groove 134 couplingthe tube 104 to the cover 38 in a manner that prevents tubedisengagement or decoupling. When the tube 104 is attached to the cover38, such as in the manner depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, its retainer flange136 also functions as a watertight sealing grommet that prevents water48 in the bowl 84 from leaking from opening 130.

The pump module coupling end 128 of the lift tube 104 is configured soits intake opening 124 telescopically receives a discharge tube 138integrally formed in a top or cover 140 of the pump module housing 112,which serves as a coupling nipple for releasably coupling with the lifttube 104. The inner diameter of the lift tube conduit 120 at andadjacent the intake opening 124 is sized relative to the outer diameterof the pump module discharge tube 138 to provide frictional engagement,e.g., a friction fit, between the tubes 104, 138 coupling them togetherwhen the pump module coupling end 128 of the lift tube 104 is telescopedover the pump module discharge tube 138.

The lift tube 104 is also made of a resilient material, such as aflexible, resilient elastomeric material, which enables it to functionas a dampener or vibration isolator when coupling the fountain cover 38to the pump module 34. Examples of suitable lift tube materials includepolyvinyl chloride or neoprene. Other suitable materials includeperbunan, polyurethane, vulkollan, silicone, and viton. By making thecover-coupling lift tube 104 of a vibration dampening or isolatingmaterial, pump module noise and vibration is attenuated or reduced. As aresult, fountain operation is quieter.

In assembly, the pump module 34 is mounted by its suction cups 108 tothe fountain basin 40 so the module 34 overlies the pump module locator56 such as by positioning it so at least its suction cups 108 aredisposed within the locator boundary 106. The connector 72 of thesegment 70 of the power cord 66 connected to the pump 42 in the pumpmodule 34 is inserted through the cord conduit 58 where it can beconnected to connector 76 located outside the basin 40. The lift tube104 is attached to the fountain cover 38 before being attached to thepump module discharge tube 138, which locates the cover 38 relative tothe basin 40 completing fountain assembly. To disassemble, the cover 38can be pulled away from the basin 40 until either the tube 104disengages from the pump module 34 or the suction cups 108 disengagefrom the basin 40. By reducing the number of fountain components andsubassemblies that need to be assembled to put the fountain 30 togetherto just four, namely the cover 38, lift tube 104, pump module 34 andbasin 40, fountain assembly and disassembly is advantageouslysimplified, quicker to do, and easier.

When assembled, such as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, the suction cups 108keep the pump module 34 attached to the basin 40 and the lift tube 104keeps the cover 38 attached to the module 34 thereby holding the cover38 in place relative to the basin 40 keeping the fountain assembled. Thedampening or vibration isolating construction of the cover-coupling lifttube 104 used to couple the cover 38 to the module 34 reduces pump noisethereby quieting fountain operation. The dampening or vibrationisolating construction of the suction cups 108 used to mount the module34 to the basin 40 also reduces pump noise thereby also quietingfountain operation.

The cover mounting arrangement 100 therefore holds the fountain cover 38in place once fountain assembly is completed. The cover mountingarrangement 100 not only holds the cover 38 in place, it does so withoutrequiring any interlocking engagement between the cover 38 and basin 40.For example, as is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the legs 86 of the cover 38abuts against the basin 40 without either the legs 86 or the basin 40configured to provide interlocking engagement therebetween.

With additional reference to FIG. 8, although the fountain cover 38 isshown in FIG. 6 with its legs 86 resting on the interior surface 54 ofthe bottom 44 of the basin 40, the fountain cover 38 can be constructeddifferently such as with one or more portions 142, 144 (shown in phantomin FIG. 6), instead of or in addition to one, more or all of the legs86, which have an outer or bottom surface 146 received in a seat 148formed in part of the basin sidewall 46, such as in its top edge 50′.For example, as shown in FIG. 8, seat 148 can be configured with anabutment surface 150 against which a complementarily configured coversurface 146 abuts and a retainer lip 152 that bounds a complementarilyconfigured outer surface 154 of the cover 38′. Of course, other seatingand abutment configurations lacking interlocking engagement arecontemplated that permits the cover 38 to be assembled and held in placevia cover mounting arrangement 100 without departing from the scope ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the pump module 34 in more detail including thepump 42 and a filter 156 inside a housing 112 of the module 34. FIGS.12-17 illustrate the pump module housing 112 in more detail. FIGS. 18-21illustrate components of a housing 212 of the filter 156. The module 34holds the pump 42 within it and provides a fountain cover mountingarrangement 100 with the lift tube 104 that anchors the fountain cover38 in place when fountain assembly is completed that also advantageouslyprovides pump noise suppression as discussed above. In the preferredembodiment of the module 34 shown in the drawing figures, the module 34includes a replaceable filter 156 used to filter water 48 entering themodule 34 before being pumped by the pump 42 through the lift tube 104up to the cover 38 where it can then flow down back into the basin 40 ina recirculating manner. The module housing 112 is formed by a bottomhalf 110, or base, that removably engages with a top half 140 thatfunctions as a module cover in a manner that enables the pump module 34to be easily and quickly opened, such as to remove and replace thefilter 156 or the like, or even taken apart, such as for washing thecomponents of the module 34. The module housing halves 110, 140 are madeof a durable material, such as a plastic or the like, which preferablyis dishwasher-safe to facilitate ease of cleaning.

The bottom half 110 of the pump module housing 112 is configured with awater intake vent grate 158 formed in a downwardly facing surface 160that is disposed adjacent the basin bottom 44 so that at least some andpreferably all of its intake vents 162 remain submerged in the water 48in the basin 40 during fountain operation. This minimizes the amount oflarger debris and other larger particulate matter that typically fallsinto the water 48 over time that can get drawn into the intake vents 162during pump operation. This prevents pump module plugging while alsoreducing the amount of larger debris that ends up getting trappedagainst the filter 156, keeping a larger filtering surface areaunobstructed that increases filter efficiency while also advantageouslyextending filter life. This produces a pump module 34 constructed inaccordance with the present invention that locates the filter 156 abovethe basin bottom-facing intake vents 162 disposed close to the bottom 44of the basin 40 and upstream of the pump 42 advantageously reducingplugging while improving filter operation and increasing filter life.

The module housing bottom 110 is of concave construction having aplurality of columns of intake vents 162 spaced laterally apart acrosssubstantially the entire bottom-facing intake vent surface 160 with eachintake vent column having a plurality of spaced apart vents 162positioned at different heights above the basin bottom 44 that increasein size the farther the vent is spaced from the bottom 44. Thebottom-facing intake vent surface 160 is inclined or curved relative tothe basin bottom 44 so as to position different intake vents 162 of eachintake vent column at different depths in the water 48 so as to ensureat least some vents 162 remain open if others become plugged. Inaddition, positioning different vents 162 so they are at differentdepths also helps ensure at least some vents will remain submergedshould the level of water 48 in the basin 40 significantly drop. As isbest shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the vents 162 in each column havedifferent sizes with vent size decreasing closer to the basin bottom 44helping to ensure debris passes through the larger vents before it canreach the smaller vents closer to the basin bottom 44 helping to ensureat least some vents, namely the vents 162 closest to the basin bottom44, will always remain unobstructed or unplugged.

With reference to FIGS. 9-11 and 12, the module housing bottom 110 hasan interior filter-supporting wall 164 that divides the module 34 intoan intake chamber 166 through which water 48 from the basin 40 entersthe module 34 through the vents 162 and a filtrate chamber 168 wherefiltered water within the module flows after it has passed through thefilter 156. The filter-supporting wall 164 has a pair of wall segments170, 172 that converge to generally form a right angle generallycomplementarily to a corresponding corner of a block-shaped orcube-shaped pump 42 having generally rectangular, e.g., square, sidesreceived in the bottom 110.

The filter-supporting wall 164 supports the filter 156 on it along oneside or edge of the filter 156 in a manner that helps provide a seat forthe filter 156 and which can also provide a seal therebetween that helpsoppose water 48 entering the intake chamber 166 from flowing around thefilter 156 during pump operation. When inserted in the module housingbottom 110, an opposite side or edge of the filter 156 is supported onone or more upraised filter support posts 174 (FIG. 12) disposed insidethe intake chamber 166 adjacent part, e.g., a front part, of an outeredge 176 of the housing bottom 110 opposite the pump 42.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9-11 and 12, the module housing bottom110 also includes a pump intake well 178 disposed in the filtratechamber 168 that includes a pump seat 180 defined by a generally flatpump-supporting surface 181 from which a pair of pump-locating seatingbrackets 184 extend upwardly. The brackets 184 engage opposite cornersof a pump 42, shown in phantom in FIG. 12, mounted in the seat 180locating the pump 42 and spacing water intake inlets 182 in a housing183 of the pump 42 away from an adjacent side 186, 188 of the housingbottom 110 to enable water 48 to enter the pump 42 after it has passedthrough the filter 156. The brackets 184 also locate the pump 42 so itspower cord 66 is located adjacent a cord notch 190 formed in anotherpart of the outer housing edge 176 so it can be seated in the notch 190when assembling the pump 42 in the module 34.

FIGS. 9-11 and 14-17 illustrate the top half 140 of the pump modulehousing 112, which functions as a releasable or removable cover of thepump module 34. The top half 140 has an upper surface 192 that can becurved as shown such as to provide a smooth contoured outer surface thatis aesthetically pleasing and which can minimize flow resistance. Thetop housing half 140 includes the pump module discharge tube 138 that isintegrally formed and located so it overlies the pump seat 180 in themodule housing bottom half 110 such that an outwardly extending outlettube 194 of the pump 42 registers with the discharge tube 138 of thepump module 34 to convey water discharged from the pump 42 into the lifttube 104. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the pumpoutlet tube 194 is telescopically received in the pump module dischargetube 138 when the housing halves 110, 140 are assembled together, e.g.,with the top half 140 closed and in engagement with the bottom half 110as depicted in FIG. 9. In one embodiment, the pump outlet tube 194 isgenerally coaxial with the pump module discharge tube 138 when the pump42 is mounted in the pump seat 180 in the bottom housing half 110 andthe top half 140 closed over the bottom half 110.

To enable the module housing top half 140, e.g., cover, to be engagedwith the bottom half 110, e.g., base, in a closed position, the top half140 includes a hinge tab 196 disposed adjacent the pump module dischargetube 138 that is pivotably received in a recess 198 formed in the bottomhalf 110 in the manner depicted in FIG. 9. The top half 140 alsoincludes a latching tab 200 opposite the hinge tab 196 that is disposedbelow a latch-actuating flange 202 that is manually urged toward thefilter 156 to open the pump module 34 by causing the latching tab 200 todisengage from a latching pocket 204 formed in the bottom half 110.

When the pump module housing halves 110, 140 are releasably latched inthe closed position shown in FIG. 9, the filter 156 and pump 42 arereleasably captured within the pump module 34. As a result, at leastsome of the noise of the pump 42 is attenuated by being enclosed withinthe module housing 112. In addition, the pump 42 includes a pumpmounting arrangement 206 shown in FIG. 10 that further attenuates noiseand vibration because it is of vibration damping or vibration isolatingconstruction.

Pump mounting arrangement 206 includes a plurality of spaced apartsuction cups 208 made of a resilient material that provides noise andvibration dampening or isolation by isolating the pump 42 from being indirect contact with the bottom housing half 110. Pump-mounting suctioncups 208 can be made of a material like that or same as that ofmodule-mounting suction cups 108. The suction cups 208 releasably mountthe pump 42 to the flat mounting surface 181 of the pump seat 180 formedin the module housing bottom half 110 spacing the bottom of the pump 42at least slightly away from the pump mounting surface 181. If additionalvibration isolation is desired, a ring or cylindrical bushing 210 madeof a noise and vibration dampening or isolating material can be disposedbetween the pump outlet tube 194 and the pump module discharge tube 138,such as depicted in FIGS. 9-11. Ring or cylindrical bushing 210 can helpcouple the tubes 138, 194. Ring or bushing 210 can be made of aresilient material of elastomeric construction same as or like that usedfor suction cups 108 and 208 and/or lift tube 104. Such a constructioncan provide noise and vibration dampening between the pump 42 and themodule housing bottom 110, between the pump outlet tube 194 and themodule housing cover 140, or between the pump 42 and both halves 110,140 of the pump module 34 where both the resilient vibrationdampening/isolating pump mounts 208 and the resilient vibration dampeneror isolator 210 are employed.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the filter 156 disposed inside the pump module 34with the filter 156 held releasably captive between the module housinghalves 110, 140 when the module cover 140 is closed and engaged with themodule base 110. The filter housing 212 is of two-piece, snap togetherconstruction having a perforated cap 214 that snaps onto a perforatedbody 216. The filter housing components 214, 216 are made of a material,such as a plastic, which provides suitable support to filter mediareceived within the housing 212 when the components 214, 216 areassembled together.

As is best shown in FIG. 9, the filter 156 houses filter media 218 thatcan be of multilayer or multistage construction. For example, the filtermedia 218 shown in the filter 156 illustrated in FIG. 9 includes a pairof spaced apart fibrous filter media layers 220, 222 that can be made ofmatted or compressed fibrous material that sandwiches an adsorptionfilter media layer 224 in between. One or both media layers 220, 222 canbe of another construction, such as, e.g., a filter screen or filtermembrane, if desired. Adsorption filter media layer 224 preferably ismade of an activated adsorption material, such as activated charcoal orthe like.

Various views of the snap-together components 214, 216 that form thefilter housing 212 are shown in FIGS. 18-21. FIGS. 18 and 19 illustratethe filter housing body 216 that defines an enclosure 217 in whichfilter media 218 is received. The body 216 has a generally planar outerwall 225 with an outer surface 226 that is of perforated constructionhaving a plurality of pairs, i.e., at least three, of spaced apartelongate slots 228 through which water flows during filter operation. Tooptimize flow through the filter 156, substantially the entire outersurface 226 is perforated with slots 228 forming a filter flow slotarray 230 extending from side-to-side with slots 228 extendingfront-to-back.

With continued reference to FIGS. 18 and 19, the body 216 has agenerally curved front wall 232 that is curved to match the contour of acorresponding curved portion of the module housing bottom 110 adjacentedge 176 so as to enable contact therewith. The curved front wall 232 isinterrupted by a generally centrally located notch or channel 234 thatprovides clearance for the latching tab 200 of the pump module housingcover 140 when the filter 156 is seated in the pump module 34. The notchor channel 234 can also help locate and maintain the position of thefilter 156 over the intake chamber 166 in the module 34 when the modulehousing cover 140 is closed. The curved front wall 232 of the filterhousing 212 transitions into a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 236, 238that extend to a generally V-shaped rear wall 240 shown in FIG. 19having a pair of sidewall segments 242, 244, which converge to form agenerally right-angled recess 246 that generally matches the outercontour of the box-like or cube-shaped pump 42. The generally V-shapedrear wall 240 has a shape generally complementary with the modulehousing divider wall 164 so as to overlie and/or seat on the wall 164when the filter 156 is inserted in the pump module 34.

FIGS. 20 and 21 illustrate the filter housing cap 214 in more detail.The cap 214 includes a generally planar perforate outer wall 248 havingfilter flow slots 250 arranged in an array or pattern that issubstantially the same as the perforate outer wall 225 of the filterhousing body 216. The cap 214 has a curved forward edge 252 having acurved shape or contour that is substantially the same as that of thecurved front wall 232 of the filter housing body 216. The curved forwardedge 252 also includes a notch 254 that aligns with the channel 234 inthe filter housing body front wall 232 when the cap 214 is attached tothe body 216. The cap 214 also includes a pair of side edges 256, 258that align with sidewalls 236, 238 of the filter housing body 216 whenthe cap 214 is attached to the body 216. The cap 214 also includes agenerally V-shaped rear sidewall 260 with wall segments 262, 264 thatconverge at a general right angle which align with correspondingsidewall segments 242, 244 of the V-shaped rear wall 240 of the filterhousing body 216 when the cap 214 is attached to the body 216.

With reference to FIGS. 9 and 21, the filter housing cap 214 includes atleast a plurality of pairs of spaced apart integrally formed bosses 266extending outwardly from an inner surface 268 of perforate wall 248 thatare each received in a corresponding boss receptacle 270 (FIG. 9)integrally formed in and along the sidewalls 232, 236, 238 and 240 ofthe filter housing body 216 in attaching the cap 214 to the body 216 inassembling the filter 156. Each boss receptacle 270 is interiorlydisposed and includes a bore configured with an inner diameter thatprovides a friction fit with a corresponding one of the bosses 266 wheninserted into the receptacle 270 during filter assembly.

The sidewalls 232, 236, 238 and 240 of the filter housing body 216 alongwith its perforated outer wall 225 define a recess or cup 270 in whichfilter media 218 is placed during filter assembly. The filter housingcap 214 is then snapped onto the body 216 by inserting its bosses 266into a corresponding one of the boss receptacles 270 until at least theouter edges of sidewalls 252, 254, 256, and 260 of the cap 214respectively abut against mating surfaces or outer edges of thesidewalls 232, 236, 238 and 240 of the body 216.

Such a filter construction advantageously produces a relatively compactfilter 156 having a self-locating shape that easily seats on the filtersupport post(s) 174 and divider wall 164 in the module housing bottom110 during assembly so that the filter 156 overlies the intake chamber166 with its filter slots 228, 250 positioned above the intake vents 162formed in the bottom-facing surface 160 of the module housing bottom110. Its L-shape with its V-shaped rear walls 240, 260 accommodates theblock or cubic shape of the pump 42 while maintaining sufficientclearance from the pump 42 to allow filtered water exiting the filter156 to flow downwardly into the intake well 178 formed in the modulehousing bottom 110 in which the pump 42 is disposed. This also helpsproduce a pump module 34 of simple and compact construction that is easyto take apart and put back together such as to clean components of themodule 34 and replace the filter 156.

With reference once again to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6 and 9, during fountainoperation, water 48 in the basin 40 is drawn through pump module intakevents 162, such as in the manner depicted by the flow arrows in FIG. 9,into the intake chamber 166 inside the pump module 34 due to suctioncreated by operation of the pump 42 inside the module 34. The water 48in the intake chamber 166 flows upwardly through one set of slots, e.g.,slots 228, 250, in the filter housing 212, through filter media 218, andout the other set of slots, e.g., 250, 228 exiting the filter 156 andentering the filtrate chamber 168. Filtered water in the filtratechamber 168 is drawn into the pump intake well 178 where it flows intothe pump 42 through inlets 182 in the pump housing 183.

The pump 42 discharges the water from of its outlet 194 into the pumpdischarge tube 138 of the module 34 where it is conveyed through thelift tube 104 upwardly to the fountain cover 38. Where the cover 38 isequipped with a pet drinking bowl, such as bowl 84, water from the lifttube 104 fills the bowl 84 until it overflows onto one of the spillways88 of one of the fountain cover legs 86. Overflowing water flows downone or more of the spillways 88 back into the basin 40 where it isreturned to the pump module 34 enabling the water 48 to continuouslycirculate during pump operation. Where the fountain includes a fountaincover equipped with a channel, such as a recessed U-shaped or crescentshaped channel, water discharged from the lift tube 104 can flow downone or more such channels back into the basin.

When it is desired to service, clean, or otherwise maintain the fountain30, the fountain assembly 32 can be easily disassembled by pulling thecover 38 away from the basin 40 until either the suction cups 108 of thepump module 34 disengage from the basin 40 or the lift tube 104 detachesfrom the pump module discharge tube 138. Depending upon what needs to bedone, additional disassembly can be performed. For example, where it isdesired to replace the filter 156, the latch-actuating flange 202 of thepump module housing cover 140 can be pressed to disengage the latch 200from the latch receptacle 204 in the module housing base 110 allowingthe cover 140 to be pivoted about the hinge tab 196 to an open position,such as is depicted in FIG. 10, permitting filter access. Filter 156 canbe removed and replaced with a new filter 156, if desired. Otherwise,the base 110 and cover 140 can be separated and cleaned, such as bywashing them in a dishwasher. When it is desired to reassemble the pumpmodule 34, its cover 140 can be closed causing latch 200 to releasablyengage the latch receptacle 204 of the base 110 to keep the cover 140closed.

Thereafter, the pump module 34 is mounted by its suction cups 108 in themodule locator area 106 of the basin 40. If needed, segment 70 of thepower cord 66 is routed through the cord conduit 58 in the basin 40 byinserting its connector 72 into the conduit 58 and passing it throughthe conduit 58. If needed, the lift tube 104 can be inserted through theopening 130 in the cover 38 until the part 132 of the cover 38 thatsurrounds and defines the opening 130 is seated in the groove 134 in thetube 104 coupling the tube 104 to the cover 38 before attaching the tube104 to the module 34. The cover 38 is maneuvered to couple the lift tube104 with the module 34 by telescoping the lift tube 104 over the pumpmodule discharge tube 138.

Once fountain assembly is completed, the cover 38 remains attached tothe basin 40 via the pump module 34 and lift tube 104 providing a covermounting arrangement 100 that produces a fountain assembly that issimple, utilizes few parts, is quick to assemble, is easy to disassembleand reassemble, and which maintains or helps maintain a desired locationof the cover 38 relative to the basin 40. Such a cover mountingarrangement 100 constructed in accordance with the present invention,can also be used where the fountain cover is located relative to thebasin by a seating arrangement in which part of the cover seats in partof the basin, such as in the manner depicted in FIGS. 6 and 8. In eitherembodiment, the cover mounting arrangement 100 holds or anchors thecover 38 in place relative to the basin 40, opposing separation,including by maintaining contact between the cover 38 and the basin 40once assembly is completed. When the cover 38 is assembled to the basin40 in this manner, the cover 38 conceals the cord conduit 58 as well asthe pump module 34 underneath it as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

Various alternatives are contemplated as being within the scope of thefollowing claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming thesubject matter regarded as the invention. It is also to be understoodthat, although the foregoing description and drawings describe andillustrate in detail one or more preferred embodiments of the presentinvention, to those skilled in the art to which the present inventionrelates, the present disclosure will suggest many modifications andconstructions, as well as widely differing embodiments and applicationswithout thereby departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lift tube for use with a pet fountain assemblyhaving a basin, a cover, and a pump arranged in fluid flow communicationwith the basin and cover for delivering water from the basin to thecover, the lift tube comprising: a first end for receiving water from apump; a second end for delivering water out of the lift tube ; anendless sidewall defining a fluid transporting conduit through whichfluid is transported by the pump away from the basin with a firstopening at the first end of the lift tube and a second opening at thesecond end of the lift tube; and a retainer flange defining a sealinggrommet at the second end of the lift tube.
 2. The lift tube of claim 1wherein the first end defines a pump module coupling end for engaging anoutlet of a pump.
 3. The lift tube of claim 2 wherein the second enddefines a cover coupling end for engaging a cover through the sealinggrommet.
 4. The lift tube of claim 1 wherein the second end has a largerdiameter defined across an outer perimeter of the sealing grommet thanthe first end.
 5. The lift tube of claim 4 wherein at least a portion ofthe first end of the lift tube defines a relatively smaller diameterdefined at an outer surface of the sidewall relative to at least aportion of the second end of the lift tube.
 6. The lift tube of claim 5wherein the lift tube tapers along an entire length of the sidewallextending between the sealing grommet and the first end.
 7. The lifttube of claim 1 further comprising a groove defined between a pair ofsurfaces spaced from and facing toward each other at the sealinggrommet.
 8. The lift tube of claim 7 wherein a side of the groove isdefined by a portion of the retainer flange having a larger diameterthan the groove.
 9. The lift tube of claim 1 wherein the sealing grommetis configured to engage a cover at opposing upper and lower surfaces ofthe cover.
 10. The lift tube of claim 9 wherein the lift tube is madefrom a resilient elastomeric material isolating transmission ofvibration through the lift tube.
 11. The lift tube of claim 1 wherein afirst surface defined at the second end of the lift tube faces radiallyoutward relative to the second end of the lift tube and intersects apair of annular surfaces that are spaced from and face toward each otherdefining a periphery of a groove at the sealing grommet.
 12. The lifttube of claim 11 wherein when viewed in longitudinal cross-section, thegroove defines a c-shaped opening at each of a pair of opposing sides ofthe sealing grommet.
 13. The lift tube of claim 11 wherein the first endof the lift tube includes a tapered segment.
 14. The lift tube of claim13 wherein the tapered segment tapers downwardly from a relatively widerportion nearer the sealing grommet to a relatively narrower portionfurther from the sealing grommet.
 15. A pet fountain assembly having alift tube comprising: a fountain basin; a fountain cover carried by thefountain basin; a pump arranged in fluid flow communication with thebasin and cover for delivering water from the basin to the cover; and alift tube having a fluid transporting conduit defined by an endlesssidewall having a first end with a first opening formed therein throughwhich water discharged by the pump enters the fluid transporting conduitand a second end with a second opening formed therein through whichwater is delivered by the lift tube to the cover, the second endcomprised of an integrally formed sealing grommet that engages part ofthe fountain cover providing a substantially water-tight seal therewith.16. The pet fountain assembly of claim 15 wherein the fountain cover hasan inner surface facing generally toward the basin, an outer surfacefacing generally outwardly away from the basin, and an opening formed inthe fountain cover that extends through the cover, and wherein the lifttube is received in the opening in the fountain cover with theintegrally formed sealing grommet engaging part of the fountain coverproviding a substantially water-tight seal about the opening formed inthe cover.
 17. The pet fountain assembly of claim 16 wherein theintegrally formed sealing grommet has a flange that overlaps a portionof the fountain cover that defines the opening formed in the fountaincover.
 18. The pet fountain assembly of claim 15 wherein the endlesssidewall of the lift tube has an axial length longer than the integrallyformed sealing grommet such that at least a portion of the endlesssidewall of the lift tube extends outwardly from an inner surface of thefountain cover beyond the integrally formed sealing grommet when theintegrally formed sealing grommet is engaged with the fountain cover.19. The pet fountain assembly of claim 15 wherein the fluid transportingconduit defined by the endless sidewall of the lift tube haslongitudinal length longer than the integrally formed sealing grommet.20. The pet fountain assembly of claim 15 wherein the lift tube isformed of a flexible elastomeric material.
 21. The pet fountain assemblyof claim 15 further comprising a module housing a filter that is influid-flow communication with the pump and in fluid-flow communicationwith the first end of the lift tube.
 22. The pet fountain assembly ofclaim 21 wherein the module comprises a pump module that houses thepump.